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Builder's Emporium
by Guest Columnist Winterheart
  Where do you go when you want to build a website but aren't sure how to do it? You've got the initiative and the creativity, but not the skills. Well, we've come up with some links to sites that will help you with your chosen task.

Before you start, do some research into the sites you like the best. Do they use tables? Does it have flash? Do they use java scripts? Does the webmaster create their own graphics, use public domain graphics or use the works of a particular person?  Where is their site located? On a free site as a subdomain? Do they have their own domain? If you don't know what any of this means then you first need to look up what those things are.

A good place to start is at The Site Wizard. This site has a lot of information for those wanting to build their own website. Most of the questions just posed can be answered there.

http://thesitewizard.com

There are other "full-service" sites with information and free things to give to the website builder!

http://bravenet.com

http://www.boogiejack.com/

If you want classes in how to build your site check out this link!

http://www.hwg.org/webdesigncourse.html

What about software? What do I need to build a website? You can buy something or use what's free. One of the best composers around now is Mozilla. If you don't know what Mozilla is, you will soon because Mozilla is a free browser with a composer that's gaining recognition daily. This software is not only free but it's easy to use and the browser supresses pop-ups and supports PNG files! You can find Mozilla at www.mozilla.org. In addition, there are many other web building applications you could use. If you prefer to stay with Bill's products, go to www.microsoft.com, then to Office and click on Front Page. The advantage to using a Microsoft product is that the interface is just like that of the other MS products, so you won't feel lost. If you're an Adobe Photoshop user you could look into Adobe's product Go Live found at www.adobe.com. Here are a few other products that are either free or low-cost and not difficult to use:

http://webpage.vendercom.com/index.html

http://visualvision.com/

http://www.compulink.co.uk/~davedorn/webbuilding/indexes/software_index.htm

http://www.web-site-hosting-n-tools.com/web-design-software.htm

http://www.w3.org/Amaya/Amaya.html

OK, now you need to find yourself some webspace. Maybe you need a freebie or low-cost space. Where do you get hosting inexpensively? There are lists of free and low-cost hosts that can help you find the right one for you!

http://www.100-best-free-webspace.com/

http://www.thefreesite.com/

Now you have you space and you have an idea of what you want on it, but the task of creating all that code on your own is daunting.  Well, you're in luck! There are a lot of template sites out there where you can get free or low-cost website templates. Using a template means all you need to do is add your images and graphics, your text and your background color or image. Here are some of the best template sites around.

http://desacs.com/

http://www.australdata.com/website_kits.html#

http://www.steves-templates.com/

http://www.freewebtemplates.com/template.php?cid=13

http://www.webpagedesign.com.au/

http://www.webdiner.com/templates/

http://www.elated.com/

http://www.freelayouts.com/

http://www.coolhomepages.com/

What about graphics and counters and photos? You need those things to make your site complete! If you want to create your own graphics you'll need a program. The Big Three are Adobe Photoshop, JASC's Paint Shop Pro, and Corel Draw. Of the three, PSP is the least expensive. Below are links to the vendor's sites and some tutorial sites to get you started.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html

http://www.jasc.com/

http://www.corel.com

http://photoshopcafe.com/

http://www.psplinks.com/

http://www.grafx-design.com/coreltut.html

http://www.techtutorials.info/cordraw.html

Below are links to help you out in the event you'd rather not create your own graphics!

Backgrounds and Graphics

 Here's a few to get you started. There are literally thousands of sites where you can get free backgrounds and graphics. Some are linkware, meaning you must provide a link back to the creator's site, and some are free and shareware, requiring no linking.

Our own Diva Whisper! - http://www.whisperscorner.com/

The wonderful ladies of Eos Development - http://www.eosdev.com/

http://cwshorty.com/gbchome.shtml

http://www.castleberryarts.com/

http://www.patswebgraphics.com/

This site has free graphics, animations and backgrounds, no link required. In addition, they have some very funny castle trash humor! Even if you don't use their stuff, they are worth checking out for the belly laugh you'll get reading all the hilarious lines people have contributed! -  http://www.castletrash.com/


Royalty Free Stock Images/Photos

http://www.freeimages.co.uk/

Counters

http://www.statcounter.com/

http://www.counting4free.com/

Smilies & Emoticons

http://www.clicksmilies.com/

Awards

Now that you've got your site up, you'll want to show off your hard work. An award or two would look nice on your new background! This link will take you to a list of award sites where you can apply:

http://www.website-awards.net/worksheet.htm

Good luck and happy building!